News from the Caucus

The following opinion-editorial appeared in the Free Cheney Press on Feb. 11, 2026: Kennewick is facing a decision that will affect families for years to come: whether a home for sexually violent predators is placed in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Parents are asking reasonable questions. Law enforcement is raising legitimate concerns. Neighbors want...

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate today unanimously approved Senate Bill 5977, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, 15th Legislative District. The legislation would require the public release of child near fatality review reports conducted by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The bill passed the Senate unanimously, 47–0 and now heads to...

Welcome to the first episode of The Mighty 8th Podcast, coming to you from Olympia and focused on giving the 8th District a strong voice in state government. Sen. Matt Boehnke joins the show to discuss two of the most pressing and controversial issues facing the 8th Legislative District and communities across Washington. The conversation...

OLYMPIA — Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ron Muzzall to crack down on reckless driving and make Washington roads safer continues to advance through the legislative process, and was highlighted in the governor’s State of the State address. Senate Bill 5890 would expand negligent driving in the first degree to include cases where a driver is...

First, I want to thank the families and community members who joined us last Monday night in Kennewick for the town hall on the proposed less restrictive alternative (LRA) placement. I was encouraged by the strong turnout and deeply appreciate everyone who took the time to show up, ask questions, and share personal concerns. When...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, shares a legislative update on ongoing efforts to address the proposed less-restrictive alternative (LRA) housing placement in Kennewick. From Olympia, he discusses how community input, town hall feedback, and constituent concerns are shaping legislation to protect families, children, and neighborhoods while ensuring public safety across the Tri-Cities and Washington state.

OLYMPIA — Sen. Matt Boehnke and Sen. Nikki Torres have introduced a comprehensive package of legislation to close dangerous gaps in Washington’s handling of less restrictive alternative (LRA) placements for sexually violent predators, prioritizing the safety of families, neighborhoods, and children across the state. “These are not abstract policy debates; they affect real neighborhoods, real...

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to escalating violence and harassment during protests at the University of Washington: “The events unfolding at the University of Washington have crossed every line of decency and legality. Last night, protesters threw human feces at attendees of a Turning Point USA...

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following reaction to Monday’s violent occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington by anti-Israel, pro-Hamas protesters. The protests were in opposition to the university’s ties to The Boeing Company. “Violent antisemitic protests intended to intimidate Jewish students and University officials are troubling and...

TESTIFY FOR EMERGENCY POWERS REFORM TOMORROW State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections 10:30 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 2 John A. Cherberg Building Capitol Campus, Olympia HOW TO TESTIFY A bill to reform gubernatorial emergency powers will receive a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee. Senate...

A bipartisan bill prime-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Holy to increase public safety by boosting the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities was approved by the Senate Law and Justice Committee today. Senate Bill 5060 would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments...

CENTRALIA…Three infants in the Everett area overdosed on fentanyl over four days this week, including a 13-month-old who died. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following reaction to these preventable tragedies. “It’s completely indefensible when an infant or child gets sick or dies because someone in the household is using deadly drugs such...